Mt. Hutt, a leading ski resort in New Zealand, is gearing up for an early start to its 2025 season thanks to an impressive snowfall of 1.2 meters (4 feet) during the first week of May. This marks the earliest opening for the resort in 16 years, with weekend operations kicking off on May 31, just in time for the King’s Birthday holiday on June 2. Full operations are scheduled to begin on June 14, depending on weather conditions.
Even with some melt from recent warm winds, the resort maintains a solid base on its main trails. Mt. Hutt appreciates its dedicated seasonal staff for making this early opening possible, highlighting their adaptability and commitment. Additionally, season pass holders will have access to the resort for these extra weekends without the need for additional passes.
The details for the 2025 season are as follows:
– Early Weekend Opening: May 31, June 1 & 2, and June 7 & 8
– Full Season Opening: June 14
– Planned Closing Day: October 12
Situated about 90 minutes from Christchurch and 35 minutes from Methven, Mt. Hutt offers 40 kilometers (25 miles) of ski trails suitable for all experience levels. The resort features a vertical drop of 648 meters, with elevations ranging from 1,438 to 2,086 meters (4,718 to 6,844 feet), and boasts five lifts, including New Zealand’s first eight-person chairlift.
This early-May snowfall stands out, as the usual accumulation for this timeframe averages merely a couple of inches. This significant weather event has thrilled ski enthusiasts and created a promising outlook for local businesses in Methven, which are anticipating lively winter activity. After the initial snowfall, another 3 centimeters (1 inch) was added on May 8, with current snow depths ranging from 20-75 centimeters (8-30 inches). The weather forecast suggests freezing temperatures over the coming nights, ideal for snowmaking, along with potential additional snowfall later in the week.
As the Southern Hemisphere prepares for the winter season, Mt. Hutt’s early opening sparks excitement among winter sports lovers and signals a hopeful boost for New Zealand’s tourism industry.